A Book and a Record for Every Corner of the Yorke Peninsula
A Book and a Record for Every Corner of SA’s Favourite Coastal Escape
You slow down the moment you head out of Port Wakefield. Go straight instead of following the trucks to Port Augusta, and suddenly things begin to shift. The land opens up. The sky feels wider. Depending on the time of year, there might be golden fields of canola, silver wheat swaying in the breeze, or stormy skies pressing down on a glistening ocean.
There’s space to breathe. The air is cleaner. And everything noisy starts to fade into the background. The Yorke Peninsula has a way of slowing time. Whether it’s the rugged cliffs around Innes, the pale blue shallows at Flaherty’s, or a wintery wander through the historic streets of Moonta, there’s a rhythm to this place that stays with you long after you’ve left.
There are tough times here too. Farmers doing it hard. Fisherman doing it even harder. But the sense of quiet, the open space, and the friendly faces are what make this part of the world so special.
To celebrate the moods and magic of each corner of the Yorkes, here’s a short list of Australian books and vinyl albums, matched to the places they seem to belong
Innes National Park and the Southern Tip
Raw. Rugged. Windblown headlands and lonely lighthouses. Baby emus running across the track. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel small in the best way.
🎵 Vinyl: Amyl and the Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
Fast, loud, unapologetic. Like a storm rolling in across the cliffs. Gritty, punchy, and weirdly grounding when the landscape around you is all wind and waves.
📖 Book: I Am Nannertgarrook by Tasma Walton
A powerful novel grounded in Country. The story of Boonwurrung woman Nannertgarrook, full of strength, resistance, and survival. Best read with the weight of the coastline in view.
Stansbury, Port Vincent and Edithburgh
Coastal calm. Boats bobbing. Great food, Sensational Gin, good people, and not a single set of traffic lights in sight. These towns are close together but couldn’t be more different.
🎵 Vinyl: Xavier Rudd – Spirit Bird
Earthy, honest, and full of soul. It belongs here. The kind of record you put on while sitting outside with salty hair and warm sand still stuck between your toes.
📖 Book: Finding Joy in Oyster Bay by Susan Duncan
Set on the coast, with secrets, morning walks and second chances. It’s not actually based here, but it feels like it could be. One of those stories that settles in your chest in the nicest way.
Moonta, Wallaroo and Kadina
History you can see and touch. Stone cottages, copper mining relics, and streets that have stories baked right into the footpaths.
🎵 Vinyl: Kasey Chambers – Backroads
There’s a quiet ache in these songs. They capture the kind of life that’s both tough and beautiful, not polished, but deeply honest. It suits the weathered buildings and red dirt roads of this part of the Peninsula.
📖 Book: Birds of a Feather by Tricia Stringer
From Wallaroo’s own Tricia Stringer, this book is all about friendship, finding your place, and the complicated beauty of starting over. It’s not historical, but it belongs here. Feels like a chat over the fence with someone who’s seen a bit of life.
Planning Your Trip?
The Yorke Peninsula isn’t just about the scenery. It’s the pace. The people. The way your shoulders drop when you arrive. Whether you're here for the surfing, the seafood, or just a reset, pairing your journey with the right soundtrack and story can make it even more meaningful.
If you're chasing these titles before you hit the road (or while you're already here), you’ll find them online here or pop into our store in Stansbury.
